We to are GP attached in Birmingham. I have transferred all of my non universal families and so have my team colleagues.

The majority of the movement for us has been transferring out. This is because of the insistence of our families to keep their GP’s even if they have moved 10 miles away.

I spoke to some HV’s in Walsall whilst handing over care and they said that they had a lot of movement in and out.

This must be having a lot of impact on not only the families but the HV teams too.

UNICEF guidance 2014 recommends changing brand of formula for constipated babies. There is no research evidence for giving extra water to well babies. References are included. Look for Professionals Guide To Infant Formula (UNICEF).

UNICEF guidance 2014 recommends changing brand of formula for constipated babies. There is on research evidence for giving extra water to well babies. References are included. Look for Professionals Guide To Infant Formula (UNICEF).

This link has some information too and references.

Just wondering if there are any links in this document which may have evidence for it.

So it appears my file did not attach so here is the link https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/476544/reg_vs_res_acc.pdf

I would have concerns about a HV recommending the use of ready made formula as it would mean the HV was advertising / endorsing certain products – HVs would need to carefully check the Infant Feeding Policies for their Organisation. Whilst I know lots of people have anecdotal recommendations to resolve constipation, I believe HVs have to follow NICE guidance.

Laura, when I was first health visiting we had to have offered the birth visit by day 14, even though we generally undertook nearly all of them by then, it gave us wriggle room. I’m wondering if some subtle word change slipped in without the consequences being considered because it’s now stated in the National Service Specification that a face to face full birth visit must be completed by day 14. It would be worth finding out what is written in the Service Specification for your Trust / what the Commissioners have set out – as the day 14 deadline is probably linked to targets / payment by results. Managers have to be careful that no HV nor the organisation as a whole is left vulnerable because people have worked outside of the Service Specification. The only way I can think the situation you describe might be overcome would be for the named HV to have a detailed phone call and explain the situation, a colleague to undertake the birth visit and the named HV undertake a detailed follow up visit…

This is also a problem when there are a few bank holidays together – easter is coming up… So more people taking annual leave and the staff in work have less days in due to the bank holidays.

I have just done my revalidation portfolio as I am in the first cohort to go through due to when I qualified. It is really easy to follow the ihv guidance and complete. From now on I am going to be sending emails to my colleagues telling them when they have done something well so they can use this towards their evidece in the portfolio. Does anyone else have any tips?